Blog.EmealsForYou

Recipe of the Week – Pine Nut Baklava

June 29, 2009

(From The Dessert Collection at emealsforyou.com)

Pine Nut Baklava

I know this is weird for those of you who look upon cooking as a chore but every once in a while I get the urge to put together a full dinner party.  This differs from most of the meals I prepare in that I make several different complete  courses.  My wife thinks I usually overdo it but then again she likes the food I serve so the complaints are muted.

A group of the neighbors have been getting together to let our dogs run and enjoy some wine and conversation.  As we did or rather Debbie did the picnic thing for Memorial Day (see Best Ribs Ever) I thought it was time to do the full blown dinner party thing. Here is the menu for those who want to know what I will be serving along with the Baklava recipe.  It may not seem like it, but I picked these recipes as they are both easy, can be made before the guests arrive and won’t destroy the budget.  Here is the recipe for the Baklava which will be part of one of the desserts.  Yes I did say part ; so if you are like my wife… right about now you too are thinking I may be a little over the top with this dinner.

A quick note on Meal Planning.  Notice that I have the menu pretty much set, the recipes printed and the shopping list printed a full two weeks out from the event.  This will allow me to find what I need and also watch for sales on the ingredients; saving money and relieving stress.

Neighborhood Saturday Night Dinner

Drinks

Martinis and Wine

Appetizers

Baked Garlic

TJ’s Special Dipping Sauce

Salad

Warmed goat cheese medallion  served on  Mixed Greens with French Vinaigrette

Main Course

Bistro Chicken

Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

Haricot Vert

Bread

French Rolls

Dessert

Deconstructed Hazelnut Cheesecake

Roasted Pears with Blue Cheese Fondant and Pine Nut Baklava

Pine Nut Baklava

Chop the toasted pine nuts and combine with half the butter, honey, and cinnamon in a bowl. Lay 2 pieces of the filo dough on a flat surface, melt remaining butter and brush the filo with the butter, dust with powdered sugar and 2 Tb of the nut mixture. Repeat with the remaining filo, capping with the last piece of filo. Cut the filled filo to fit an oven-proof pan. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the simple syrup in a pan and reduce by half. Pour half of this on top of filo and spread evenly. Bake for 30 -40 minutes , until lightly browned. Pour remaining simply syrup over the top and allow to cool. Cut into serving pieces.

The recipes for this meal and much more can be found at emealsforyou.com

Entry Filed under: Dessert. Tags: baklava, Dessert, dinner party, dinner party menu, honey, pine nuts, special dessert.